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Collector’s Fact
According to author Frank Sellers, only 22 extra fine engraved Sharps Model 1853 sporting rifles with 90 bore octagon barrels were produced.
Highly Desirable Documented Factory “Extra Fine” Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle
LOT 78
Incredibly Scarce and Exceptional Documented “Extra Fine” Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Octagon Barrel Percussion Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 11066, 38 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Sharps Model 1853 is one of the most iconic firearms of the often violent antebellum era and was famously used by John Brown and his abolitionist allies in Bleeding Kansas and his raid on Harpers Ferry. Early Sharps rifles like this factory “extra fine engraved” sporting rifle helped establish breech loading firearms in the U.S. and led to Sharps rifles and carbines being among the most significant firearms of the Civil War era and the settlement of the West after the war. The included copy of a factory letter from Dr. Richard J. Labowskie notes that this incredible rifle was invoiced at Sharps’ Hartford factory on November 30, 1855, and described as a 90 bore Model 1853 Octagon Barrel Sporting Rifle that was “Extra Fine Engraved.” On page 49 of “Sharps Firearms” by Frank Sellers, only 22 Extra Fine Engraved Model 1853 Sporting Rifles with 90 bore octagon barrels are noted compared to an estimated 603 rifles with 90 bore octagon barrels that were plain. The rifle has similarities with the famous Sharps Model 1855 displayed by Sharps at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855 and shown on page 51 of Sellers’ book and identified as engraved by Gustave Young. The engraving covers nearly all of the visible surfaces of the frame, lock plate, and patch box as well as most of the lever, trigger plate, and buttplate tang and around the lower buttplate screw, and the breech end of the upper barrel flats and borders at the muzzle and breech. The majority of the engraving consists of the classic Germanic scroll engraving style Young, Nimschke, and other master engravers trained in German popularized in the U.S. in the mid-19th century. The patterns include floral bloom accents, intertwining scrolls, small sections of crosshatch and dot patterns, and wavy line borders. The patch box features a round panel scene of a pronghorn with a finely detailed background, and the left side of the frame has another highly detailed scene of three rabbits in a pastoral scene. The rifle features a globe and post front sight, a notch and folding ladder rear sight, tang mounted peep sight, and adjustable double set triggers. The barrel has “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN.” marked on top, the upper tang has “SHARPS/PATENT/1848” just ahead of the serial number, and the lock is marked “SHARP’S/PATENT/1853.” The “SHARP’S” markings on the barrel and lock are noted variations seen on many of the Model 1853 rifles and was created by a mistake of the man who cut the stamps and was corrected later in the production of this model. The matching serial number is found on the back of the forearm, upper tang, and inside of the patch box. It may also be marked in concealed areas, but the rifle was not disassembled out of respect. The bottom of the barrel, lower left of the frame, front of the trigger plate, and the inside of the patch box also have “E,” and the bottom right of the breechblock and the rounded top of the barrel ahead of the breechblock are both marked “F.” The stock and forearm have the high polish varnish finish, a simple pewter forend cap, lightly curved buttplate, and classic Sharps patch box. CONDITION: Very fine. This rifle appears to have seen little use and has clearly been very well cared for over more than a century and half since it left the Sharps factory. The engraving and markings remain crisp and exhibit very minimal wear. The panel scene in particular show very fine details that appear essentially untouched. The barrel retains 70% plus original blue finish and has slight fading to smooth brown patina, slight edge wear, and lightly patinated muzzle. The case colors on the other components have mostly faded from age to a mix of gray and brown patina as well as some brighter silver-gray patina such as on the hammer, but there are flashes of bright original case colors in protected areas such as on the lock plate under the hammer. The breechblock cross pin appears to be a replacement. The wood is also very fine and retains most of the original high polish varnish. Wear is mainly limited to some slight flakes of the varnish, some small flakes at the edges of the mortises, and a few scattered scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle with the rare and desirable “Extra Fine” grade factory engraving and will make an excellent addition to any antique fine arms collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 30,000 83